Benedict Cumberbatch Cast In Star Wars: Episode VII?

September 3, 2013 02:34 PM EDT

Will Benedict Cumberbatch wield a lightsaber, laugh it up with a Wookie or plot against the Rebellion with the Sith?

According to rampant online reports (with Film Chronicles first breaking the casting rumor), “Star Trek Into Darkness” villain and “Sherlock” actor Benedict Cumberbatch has been cast in the J.J. Abrams’ movie.

There are no details about who the British actor might play in the highly anticipated sequel, where original stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill are expected to reprise their roles.

“He’s a genius,” he told AccessHollywood.com at the time. “He’s just an incredible actor. Honestly, if you’ve seen the work in ‘Sherlock,’ he’s just got incredible skills. He did amazing work in ‘Frankenstein’ [on the London stage]. He’s brilliant.